15/09/2026
KNE’s Solidarity Brigade in Cuba: A “Milestone” in the Expression of Internationalist Solidarity and in KNE’s International Activity
English republication of the article on KNE’s Solidarity Brigade with Cuba, originally published in the September 2026 issue of Odigitis
Statements
KNE has consistently been at the forefront of expressing solidarity with the peoples who are being tested in the flames of imperialist war, who are confronted with the effects of anti-people policies, anti-communism, repression and the consequences of capitalist barbarity in every country.
Particularly in recent months, it has undertaken a multitude of initiatives and carried out dozens of actions, including events, concerts and demonstrations, to give expression to solidarity with the Cuban people. This multifaceted activity takes on particular significance at a time when pressure on the Island of the Revolution is mounting, the energy blockade is intensifying and there are even threats of military intervention.
On the evening of 1 August, the Solidarity-with-Cuba Brigade of KNE lands in Havana. The beginning of two weeks filled with unforgettable moments, meetings, events and visits and, above all, with the practical expression of solidarity in many different ways.
The mission’s activities as a whole, from the island’s historical monuments and landmarks associated with the Cuban Revolution to the historic events marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comandante Fidel Castro, undoubtedly offered the members of the KNE mission a vivid insight into Cuba’s heroic history.
Above all, however, the success and significance of the Solidarity Brigade lie in the fact that it sent a strong message that the Cuban people and Cuban youth are not alone in the face of the criminal aggression of the USA and the genocidal embargo imposed by the imperialists for more than 60 years. KNE members saw first-hand the tragic effects of the energy embargo, with constant blackouts, shortages of medicines, delays even in critical surgical operations, and much more.
The significance of the Brigade is also confirmed, among other things, by the new sanctions against Cuba announced by the US Department of State just a few days after the conclusion of dozens of brigades from all over the world, this time targeting officials of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, as well as by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s targeting of the solidarity brigades in Cuba. Once again, it is being demonstrated that the solidarity and struggle of the peoples are a “thorn in the side” of the imperialists!
In Havana, as part of the solidarity activities, the Brigade members undertook symbolic volunteer work and delivered medical supplies to a hospital, as well as school supplies to an orphanage, demonstrating in practice the importance of internationalist solidarity.
A tour of monuments and sites of the Cuban Revolution
The KNE mission visited landmark sites in Cuba, such as Revolution Square in Havana, where some of Fidel Castro’s historic speeches were delivered before hundreds of thousands of people, with the enormous monument honouring José Martí on one side and the portraits of Che and Camilo Cienfuegos on the other.
They saw the historic vessel “Granma”, which has been preserved and remains on display to this day, and the tank with which Fidel Castro led the final counterattack in the Battle of the Bay of Pigs. They also visited the “Fidel Castro Ruz” Centre, where they learned about the life and history of the great communist revolutionary, as well as about the achievements brought to the lives of the Cuban people by the Cuban Revolution and the first years of socialist construction.
Another unique moment was the visit of KNE’s Brigade to the impressive building of the Cuban trade unions, the CTC headquarters, during which a wealth of experience concerning the labour movement in each country was exchanged.
Next stops: Santa Clara and Cienfuegos
There, the KNE mission had the opportunity to visit the “open-air museum” where the armoured train captured by a group of guerrillas led by Ernesto Che Guevara is displayed, securing crucial arms and ammunition just days before 1 January 1959, which played a role in the victory of the Revolution. Naturally, the mission could not fail to visit Che’s museum and mausoleum, where the remains of Che and 29 other comrades of his who were murdered in Bolivia in 1967 have their final resting place.
As part of the programme of the European Brigade, the KNE mission also had the opportunity to attend various discussions and events, mainly concerning the current situation on the island, as well as others, with the meeting with the Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution standing out in particular. People who had themselves lived through the fire of the Revolution at a very young age recounted their experiences with emotion, but also with humility.
The Brigade members visited the city of Cienfuegos and stayed for several days at the “Julio Antonio Mella” International Camp (CIJAM), near the village of Caimito, a historic camp founded by Fidel Castro in 1972, where all solidarity brigades to Cuba have been hosted ever since.
100 years since the birth of Fidel Castro An inspiration and guide for revolutionary action
The culmination of the events was participation in the 1st International Colloquium, “Fidel: Legacy and Future”, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz. A KKE delegation led by Giorgos Marinos, member of the Political Bureau of the CC of the KKE, also participated.
There, KNE members attended dozens of discussions on the history and achievements of the Cuban Revolution in all fields and on Fidel’s contribution as a communist revolutionary. They were briefed in greater detail on the difficult situation that has developed on the island because of the embargo imposed by US imperialism.
The International Colloquium also featured an artistic programme, including a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba at the National Theatre in Revolution Square, while the culmination was the rally and musical-theatrical performance, with the participation of the young “Pioneers”, at the impressive Karl Marx Theatre, held on the day marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great communist revolutionary Fidel Castro.
In the framework of the Brigade, a meeting was held between a KNE delegation and the Union of Young Communists of Cuba (UJC). During the meeting, the solidarity and support of KNE, as well as of the youth of our country as a whole, for the struggle of the Cuban people were expressed, while a wealth of experience from the activity of the two Organizations was exchanged.
Taken as a whole, KNE’s mission to Cuba provided valuable contact with the rich legacy and revolutionary heritage left by the Cuban Revolution, providing knowledge and stimuli capable of setting the heart and mind of every young revolutionary ablaze.
We continue and strengthen our internationalist action!
We strengthen our internationalist message and demand that Cuba be removed from the unacceptable list of “state sponsors of terrorism” and that all proceedings aimed at prosecuting Raúl Castro cease. We draw inspiration from the example of the great communist revolutionary and leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro!
We continue our internationalist action, with the next major milestone being the 52nd Festival of KNE–“Odigitis”. The presence of the Οrganizations at the International City under the slogan “Proletarians of all countries, unite!” will once again send a strong message of internationalist solidarity and will provide a meeting place and a space for the exchange of experience for young communists from all over the world.